Wichita eagle., 1887-04-15
LITTLE MAC AND HIS GENERALS.

LITTLE MAC AND HIS GENERALS.
Gen. McClellan's Opinion Of His Lieuten-
ants rs Expressed In His Book.
Phil Kearney received . brigade; but
though he stood high as . remarkably
daring man and good cavalry captain in
the Msxiea1 war, had not sufficient con-
fidence In his brains to give him one Of
the first divisions. I have since some
times thought that would have done
well had I given him command of the
cavalry.
Sumner was in California when as
suned command; he returned not long
before we took the field and at once re-
ceived a division. He was an old AID
tried officer perfectly honest, as bravo q
man as could be, conscientious and labori-
Gus. In many respects he was model
soldier. He was man for whom had q
very high regard, and for his memory l
have the greatest respect. He was very
valuable man, and his soldierly example
was of the highest value in new army.
A nation is fortunate that possesses many
such soldiers as was Edwin V. Sumner.
Franklin was one Of the best officers
udu, NSIS pONCIlu1. 10 wa q Iiittli hOG
only of excellent judgment, but of a re-
markedly high order Of intellectual
ability. He was often badly treated, and
seldom received the credit he deserved.
His moral character was of the highest,
and he was In all respects an admirable
corps commander; more than that, he
would have commanded an army well.
The only reason why did not send him
to relieve Sherman instead of Buell. was
that could not spare such man from
the Army of the Potomac.
Fitz John Porter was on duty with Gen.
Patterson as adjutant general when l as
sumed command. AS soon as possible |
had him made briGadier general, and gave
him the cj-lnla nd vacated by ". [. Sher-
man Take him for all in ALL he was
probably the best general officer l had
under me. He had excellent ability,
sound judgment and all the instincts Of
a soldier. He was perfectly familiar with
all the details of his duty, an excellent
organizer and administrative officer, and
one of the most conscientious and labOri
GUS men l ever knew. never found 1t
necessary to do more than give him gen.
eral instructions, for it was certain that
all details would be cared for and nothing
neglected. always knew that an order
given to him would be fully carried out
were it morally and physically possible
He was one of the coolest and most i'm
perturbable men in danger ever knew
like all his race. I shall have occasion
to revert to him hereafter, and will now
only add that he was treated with the
grossest injustice, chiefly, fear, because
Of his devotion to me.
To Sedgwick l gave brigade. Not
knowing him well did not at first appre
ciate his high qualities, but soon discov-
cred them and gave him the first vacant
division-that originally commanded by
Stone. He was one of the best and most
modest soldiers we had. Possessing ex-
cellent ability and judgment. the highest
bravery, great skill in handling troops,
wonderful powers in instructing and dis
ciplining men as well as in gaining their
love, respect and confidence, he was with
al so modest and unobtrusive that it was
necessary to be thrown closely in contact
with him to appreciate him. He was
thoroughly unselfish, honest and true as
steel. His conduct during the battle of
Charlottesville in stOrming the works ON
Marie's Heights, and afterward holding
his own against tremendous odds, was
remarkable and most brilliant feat of
arms.
Hancock received brigade early In the
formation of the Army of the Potomac.
He was a man of the most chivalrous
and of a superb presence, especi-
ally in action; he had wonderfully
quick and correct eye for ground and for
troops; his judgment was good,
and it would be difficult to find better
corps commander.
John Reynolds was commandant of the
corps of cadets when the war broke out |
He gained a high reputation in the Mexi
can war as an officer of light artillery, and
was among the first whom l caused to be |
appointed brigadier general. He was a
splendid soldier and performed admirably |
every duty assigned to him. Constantly |
he was, when killed at Gettys- |
burg with Meade and Sedgwick, the best |
officer then with the Army of the Potomac |
He was remarkably brave and intelligent, |
an honest, true gentleman.
Meade was also one of my early ap-
pointments as brigadier general He |
was an excellent officer; cool, brave and |
he always did his duty admir- |
ably and was an honest man. AS COM
Of an army he was far superior to |
either Hooker or Burnside.-Gen. George |
B. McClellan's Book.